PACT Primary Care
Annual Physical Exams in the Greater New Haven Area, CT
An annual physical is one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your long-term health. It gives you and your clinician a dedicated appointment to review how you’re feeling, track changes over time, screen for concerns early, and set goals for the year ahead, whether you feel perfectly healthy or have questions you’ve been meaning to ask.
PACT Primary Care provides annual checkups for adults across the Greater New Haven area, including new patients, established patients, and anyone looking to establish care with a primary care clinician they trust.
Accepting New Patients
What Is an Annual Physical Exam?
An annual physical, sometimes called a wellness check or yearly check-up, is a preventive appointment focused on your overall health rather than a single problem. It’s a chance for your clinician to review your health history, perform a hands-on exam, and recommend age- and risk-based screenings before small issues become larger ones
Regular check-ups help detect conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes when they are most manageable. Because your primary care clinician coordinates the rest of your care, your annual physical also serves as the hub that connects you to the right screenings, specialists, and follow-up.
What’s Included in a PACT Annual Physical
While every physical is customized to you, most annual exams include the following.
Vitals and Measurements
Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Tracking these year over year helps us catch trends early.
Health History Review
Your clinician will review your personal and family medical history, current medications and supplements, allergies, immunization status, and any lifestyle factors. This is also the time to talk through any symptoms or concerns, big or small.
Head-to-Toe Physical Assessment
A hands-on exam typically includes listening to your heart and lungs, checking your abdomen, examining your skin, ears, eyes, throat, and lymph nodes, and assessing your reflexes and overall function. We may recommend additional age- and gender-specific exams as appropriate.
Lab Work and Bloodwork When Appropriate
Based on your age, history, and risk factors, we may order bloodwork, such as a complete blood count (CBC), metabolic panel, cholesterol/lipid panel, blood sugar, or thyroid testing. Many of our New Haven-area offices offer on-site labs, so you can complete your bloodwork the same day without a separate trip.
Age-and-Risk-Based Screening Recommendations
Preventive care is personal. Your clinician will talk with you about screenings that make sense for your age and risk profile, including blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, diabetes screening, cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate), bone density, and recommended vaccines. We’ll help you understand what’s due now and what to plan for.
How to Prepare & What to Bring
A little preparation helps you get the most out of your visit.
Please bring:
- A current list of your medications and supplements (including doses)
- Your insurance card and a photo ID. Prior records or test results, especially if you’re a new patient
- A list of questions or concerns you’d like to discuss
- Names of any specialists you see, so we can coordinate your care
Fasting guidance: If your clinician plans to order bloodwork such as a cholesterol or blood sugar panel, you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours beforehand (water and most prescription medications are usually fine). Call ahead or check MyChartPLUS, and consider booking a morning appointment.
Having one or more items ready helps your clinician give you the most accurate, personalized care.
Download our “What to Bring” Checklist using the button below.
Annual Physical vs. Wellness Visit vs. Sick Visit
Choosing the right visit type helps you avoid surprises and get the care you need.
Annual Physical /
Wellness Visit
A routine, preventive appointment when you’re generally well, focused on prevention, screening, and overall health. This is what most people mean by a “yearly check-up.”
Sick Visit
A focused appointment for a new or specific problem like a cold, infection, rash, or injury. If you’re feeling unwell right now, book a same-day sick visit rather than waiting for your physical.
Chronic Care Visit
A follow-up to manage an ongoing condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or thyroid disease.
A quick note: if you raise a new or complex problem during your annual physical, your clinician will always help, but part of your visit may be billed differently than the preventive portion. If you have a pressing concern, mention it when you book to make sure we can plan enough time.
Not sure which type of visit you need?
Who Should Get an Annual Checkup & How Often?
For most adults, an annual physical is a great yearly habit. Your ideal frequency depends on your age, health status, and risk factors.
Consider scheduling a physical if you:
- Haven’t had a check-up in the past year
- Are establishing care with a new primary care clinician
- Have a chronic condition or family history that needs monitoring
- Want to review your medications, screenings, or vaccines
- Are due for age-based preventive screenings
- Simply want to stay ahead of your health
General frequency guidance:
- Healthy younger adults may do well with a physical every 1–2 years, plus screenings as recommended.
- Adults with chronic conditions or risk factors typically benefit from yearly visits or more frequent check-ins.
- Older adults typically benefit from annual visits to monitor changes, review medications, and stay current on screenings.
Not sure what’s right for you?
Our clinicians are here to help you figure out exactly what’s right for you.
When Is a Physical the Right First Step and When to Escalate?
An annual physical with your primary care clinician is the appropriate first step for routine care, prevention, and most non-urgent concerns. Your PACT clinician also serves as the coordinating hub for the rest of your care.
- See your PACT primary care clinician for routine physicals, preventive screenings, ongoing condition management, and everyday health questions.
- Book a same-day sick visit for new, non-emergency issues like infections, minor injuries, or worsening symptoms.
- Go to urgent care or the ER for severe or emergency symptoms: chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or any life-threatening situation.
Call 911 in an emergency. - Ask for a specialist referral when a concern needs focused expertise. As part of PACT and the Hartford HealthCare network, we can connect you with the right specialist and keep your care coordinated.
What to Expect at Your Annual Physical
Your visit is designed to be thorough, unhurried, and centered on you.
Here’s what typically happens:
Check-in and Vitals
A team member records your vitals and updates your health information.
History and Lifestyle Review
Your clinician reviews your medical and family history, medications, and lifestyle, and asks about any symptoms or concerns.
Physical Examination
A head-to-toe exam appropriate for your age and health needs.
Screenings and Labwork
Any recommended bloodwork or screenings, often available on-site the same day.
A Personalized Plan
Your clinician discusses findings, reviews recommended screenings or follow-up, updates vaccines if needed, and answers your questions.
Results and follow-up instructions are available through MyChartPLUS, where you can also message your care team and manage your care.
Why Choose PACT for Your Annual Physical
Convenient, Local Care
PACT offers annual physicals across the Greater New Haven area, including New Haven, Cheshire, West Haven, Guilford, Wallingford, and Milford. We’re close to home and easy to reach.
Same-Day & New-Patient Appointments
We’re accepting new patients and often have same-day availability. You can establish care and get seen without a long wait.
On-Site Labs & Screenings
Many of our offices offer on-site labs and screenings, letting you complete your bloodwork the same day no separate trip required.
Part of the Hartford HealthCare Network
As part of the broader PACT network and Hartford HealthCare, we offer seamless access to specialists, hospitals, and advanced resources when you need them.
MyChartPLUS Patient Portal
View your results, message your care team, request refills, and manage follow-up in one secure place.
Request Your Annual Physical Exam
Connect with PACT Primary Care to schedule your yearly check-up and stay ahead of your health. We’re accepting new patients across the Greater New Haven area and can work with your insurance plan to make scheduling simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an annual physical exam?
A PACT annual physical typically includes a vitals check (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, BMI), a review of your medical and family history and current medications, a head-to-toe physical assessment, and a discussion of age- and risk-based screenings.
When appropriate, your clinician may order bloodwork, like a cholesterol panel, blood sugar, or thyroid testing, typically available at our on-site labs.
How long does an annual physical take?
Most annual physicals take about 30 to 45 minutes, though it can vary based on your health history and the screenings needed. New patients or those with several concerns to discuss should plan for a little extra time.
Is a yearly physical covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover an annual preventive or wellness visit at little to no out-of-pocket cost. Coverage details vary, and additional services or discussing a new problem during the visit may be billed separately.
We recommend confirming your specific benefits with your insurer before your appointment.
Do I need to fast before a physical?
Only if bloodwork is planned. Some tests, like a cholesterol or fasting blood sugar panel, may require you to fast for 8-12 hours (water and most medications are usually okay).
If you’re unsure, call ahead or check MyChartPLUS, and consider booking a morning appointment.
Annual physical vs. wellness visit: what's the difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably, and both are preventive appointments for people who are generally well.
A “wellness visit” (especially under Medicare) tends to focus on health-risk assessment, screening, and planning, while a “physical” usually includes a hands-on head-to-toe exam. Your PACT clinician will make sure your visit covers what you need.
What's the difference between a physical and a sick visit?
A physical is a preventive visit when you’re generally well. A sick visit addresses a specific, active problem such as an infection or injury. If you’re feeling unwell now, book a same-day sick visit rather than waiting for your physical.
Do I need to be an established patient to schedule a physical?
No. PACT is accepting new patients across the Greater New Haven area, and an annual physical is a great way to establish care with a primary care clinician.
Does PACT offer annual physicals near me in Connecticut?
Yes. PACT provides annual physical exams at offices throughout the Greater New Haven area, including New Haven, Cheshire, West Haven, Guilford, Wallingford, and Milford.